On Oct. 31 Politico reported that two women had filed sexual harassment claims against Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain while he was head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s. In the weeks that followed, more women came forward, and two went public with their accusations. Most recently, Atlanta businesswoman Ginger White spoke out alleging she and Cain had an extramarital affair for 13 years.

Cain has repeatedly denied the allegations. But the candidate has also come under fire for referring to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as "Princess Nancy" during a Republican presidential debate.

Here's a look at the women who have come forward with accusations against Cain:

Close



Herman Cain's Women

of





On Oct. 31 Politico broke the news that two women had filed sexual harassment claims against Herman Cain when he ran the National Restaurant Association 20 years ago. At the time the story was published the women wished to remain anonymous, but one, Karen Kraushaar, came forward on Nov. 8, the day after a third woman, Sharon Bialek, held a press conference alleging she was sexually harassed by Cain.
Kraushaar, a Treasury Department spokeswoman, was an employee at the National Restaurant Association during the time Cain was head of the group. She did not discuss the details of the claim, but her attorney described the story Bialek told as familiar. "I'm not authorized to give specifics, but the conduct is similar and it's corroborating evidence for the complaint my client filed." Kraushaar received a settlement of about $45,000.

One of the first women known to have filed a sexual harassment claim against Herman Cain has shown no interest in revealing her identity or publicly discussing the accusations. The woman, who works for a New Jersey lobbying firm, has deliberately dodged reporters and turned down requests to hold a joint press conference with the other women accusing Cain of sexual harassment.
The woman filed a complaint accusing Cain of inappropriate behavior in 1998, while working at the National Restaurant Association. She left the job after receiving a $35,000 settlement.

Shortly after the story broke that two women had filed sexual harassment claims against Herman Cain, a third woman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press she also considered filing a complaint while working at the National Restaurant Association. The woman accused Cain of making sexually suggestive remarks and gestures, even inviting her to his corporate apartment for a private visit. She described his behavior as aggressive and inappropriate, similar to the claims made by the previous accusers.

Sharon Bialek was the first woman to go public with accusations of sexual harassment against Herman Cain. She held a press conference on Nov. 7 in New York, and claimed Cain made inappropriate advances toward her in 1997, while she was seeking a job. Bialek said that while the two were sitting in the car after dinner and drinks, Cain stuck his hand under her skirt, and also grabbed her head and pushed it toward his crotch. She said that when she protested, Cain responded "You want a job, right?"
Bialek, a single mother, appeared with celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred. She said, "I'm coming forward to give a face and a voice to the women."

Atlanta businesswoman Ginger White came forward on Nov. 28 alleging she and Herman Cain had a 13-year extramarital affair. White said in an interview with Fox 5 Atlanta that she first met Cain in the late 1990s when he was president of the National Restaurant Association, and the affair ended shortly before Cain announced he was running for president.
Before the Atlanta TV station reported the news, Cain, who was in the middle of a segment on CNN, broke the story himself. He told anchor Wolf Blitzer, "This individual is going to accuse me of an affair for a specified period of time." Cain denied any wrongdoing, calling the woman "an acquaintance who I thought was a friend."

A far cry from the typical campaign wife, Herman Cain's wife, Gloria, has stayed out of the public eye during her husband's campaign, even after the sexual harassment claims were reported. But on Nov. 13, as the scandal continued to unfold, Gloria Cain finally came forward and gave her first interview since her husband announced his bid for the presidency.
Appearing on Fox News, Cain said the sexual harassment accusations against her husband didn't ring true. "I know the type of person he is. He totally respects women," she said. "I'm thinking he would have to have a split personality to do the things that were said."
Gloria Cain has not responded publicly to the most recent claim, Ginger White's announcement that she and Cain had a 13-year extramarital affair.